Lead, Co-op and Workforce Initiatives

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Job Title: Lead, Co-op and Workforce Initiatives

Department: Academic Affairs Administration | Timashev Center for Software Innovation

The Center for Software Innovation (CSI) seeks a highly collaborative operational leader to build, govern, scale, and continuously improve a new experiential learning model: a part-time cooperative (co-op) education program embedded within the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Business.

Reporting to the AVP for Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship, this role is responsible for the strategic planning, analysis, project management and ongoing business operations of this highly-visible initiative. Serving as the project manager, this role builds and facilitates the systems for the co-op program from inception through governance, and ongoing operations. The Lead serves as a key advisor and influencer across the ecosystem, working closely with internal stakeholders, including; students, faculty, career services, employer partners, and program leadership to execute the project plan and ensure quality results by seamlessly connect academic pathways with high-impact work experiences in startups, scaleups, and established innovation-driven organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Operational Design (50%)

The Co-op and Workforce Initiatives Lead is responsible for the strategic planning, operational design, and execution of repeatable co-op program pathways. This role coordinates project planning and change management to transition the program into a highly efficient, ongoing business operation. This role focuses heavily on building and maintaining the programmatic structural governance, repeatable matching and recruitment processes, and resource modeling required to scale enrollment, manage pipelines, and ensure institutional readiness.

It is critical to the program’s success for the Lead to establish a framework and partner seamlessly with University and College-level academic advising, career services, and student support services to first, ensure program sustainability within the university ecosystem and second, ensure a holistic, cohesive student experience.

Program Scaling and Sustaining (30%)

Builder’s Studi/o Portfolio Management: As the initial track of co-op opportunities, students will work in pods on assigned projects with parameters set by external hiring parters. This position will oversee the management of these pods, establishing governance, milestones and tracking results that meet the quality and schedule requirements of the external clients and ensure a positive experience for both the students and employers by leveraging the established feedback loops with all stakeholders and partnering with the CSI Director of Engagement and Development, to ensure successful project execution, and continuous alignment with industry partner expectations to secure mutual value.

The Lead will propose and implement more and/or new tracks based on the feedback success of the initial pods including strategic operations enhancements and sustainability plans.

Program Administration and Reporting (20%)

Systems & Data Infrastructure: Manage specialized systems supporting opportunity access, application tracking, and program metrics; maintain dashboards to support continuous program improvement and leadership reporting. This includes monitoring sustainability metrics, which include the programmatic value to stakeholders by building in feedback loops.

Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant experience in building, planning, and/or scaling experiential learning programs, co-op programs, or workforce development initiatives.
• Demonstrated project management and systems-building expertise, with a proven track record of managing complex schedules, operational logistics, project budgets, and program parameters.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate complex institutional structures, manage change, and build consensus among faculty, staff, and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8-12 years of relevant experience in building, planning, and/or scaling experiential learning programs, co-op programs, or workforce development initiatives.
• Experience working within innovation, entrepreneurship, or startup ecosystems (e.g., accelerator or incubator programs).
• Deep understanding of part-time co-op models or work-integrated learning best practices.

Additional Information:

Applicants are required to submit both a cover letter and a resume to be considered for this opportunity.

This position may require some travel in addition to working evenings and weekends as needed.

The Targeted Hiring Range for this position is $103,000 - $110,000. The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, internal equity, etc.

Function: Business Planning and Operations

Subfunction: Project Management

Band: Specialized

Level: 4

Location: University Square South (1032)

Position Type: Regular

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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